Old school building is one of most endangered
A FORMER school building in the market town of Cowbridge has been named as one of the most endangered in the UK.
Cowbridge School, which now lies derelict and under threat from demolition, appears on the annual Top 10 Most Endangered Buildings List compiled by the Victorian Society.
It was built on Aberthin Road in 1896 as one of 94 County Intermediate Schools designed to mainly cater for children who had little or no prospect of attending independent public schools due to their social status or financial situation.
The school was further expanded in 1908, and was originally The Intermediate School for Girls – one of only two girls schools built in Glamorganfollowing the Welsh Intermediate Education Act of 1889.
More recently it had been used as the sixth form for Cowbridge Comprehensive until the school moved in 2010 – and the building has been empty ever since.
Earlier this year, Hafod Housing Association said it wanted to demolish the old Cowbridge Comprehensive sixth form building in Aberthin Road and replace it with five two-and-ahalf-storey houses and a four-storey block of flats.
The annual list by the Victorian Society highlights the most at-risk Victorian and Edwardian buildings and structures throughout England and Wales.
Now in its 12th year, the campaign aims to expose the plight of these buildings in the hope that increased awareness and appreciation will help save them.
Talking about the school building in Cowbridge, Christopher Costelloe, director of the Victorian Society, said: “Cowbridge School is a beautifully crafted building, solid, handsome and capable of being reused.
“Its thoughtless demolition would be a huge blow to the town. Many other Victorian school buildings are in a similar position – these buildings can and should be reused.”
Television presenter Griff Rhys Jones, who is president of the Society, said: “It is both inspiring and saddening to see this list.
“Who would have thought that a call to arms would reveal such a wealth of distinguished and absorbing architecture?
“From libraries to pubs to gorgeous theatres, these are gems. We are not looking at the second rate here.
“We are looking at real historical monuments – and yet we can only be taken aback.
“All of these historic sites are glorious and imaginative places ready for a new and productive life.
“How incredible that should feature on the Top Ten Endangered Buildings list. Let us hope that people spring into action and pay attention.”